Bring your knitting and join us for an evening — we’re sure you’ll want to become part of the flock!

Thursday, January 31, 2013

The new year: Cast on...Bind off.

Our January meeting had special guests and special moments...

Special guests Rita, Laura and Maureen shared with us their enthusiasm for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Detroit and the fight against breast cancer. A heartwarming video, presentation and a great Q and A period made their visit with us an inspiring opening to the meeting. Race for the Cure is May 18.

Pat K. followed by speaking about Knit Michigan, the fundraising annual event dedicated to bringing awareness and support to local cancer patients, their families and the organizations that support them. Under the guidance of Judith D. the guild has long supported the event with volunteers at the Learn to Knit table. Knit Michigan is coming up fast...the first Saturday of February.

The program in January ushers in the new year by welcoming the new president and vice president and ends the current president's term, allowing us the opportunity to thank them for all they have brought to the guild in that position.

The new president teaches a cast on at this meeting, and Charli shared with us the i-cord cast on—great for at the hem of a sweater, it prevents curling and creates a clean edge. Our new vice president, Harriet, stepped up in the middle to share a couple of joining techniques. First, the tried and true favorite when knitting with wool or other feltable fibers—the spit join. Harriet also shared the russian join for fibers that won't felt, such as cotton. Ending the program, Kelley stood in front of us for one last time. She led us in a bind off technique that creates a stretchy—great for lace—bind off, called appropriately, the lace bind off.

Raffle this month was donated by Helga, Tanya and Joan. An impressive array of items included a Be Sweet Sweetie Pie pattern and yarn kit (won by Marie), a couple of great books including The Knitter's Handy Book of Top-down Sweaters (won by Wiley). Eileen won the Artful yarns and handmade project bag, Donna won the prize she knew she would win: Kollage yarn in a lovely Bermuda Green with a Little Iris Shawl pattern. Oh and did I mention that I won the prize that I wanted so much that I doubled my ticket buy? Five cones of Habu Textiles Gima yarn with a cocoknits pattern, Paulina. Thanks so much, Joan, Helga and Tanya!

The final special moment: a group of sneaky sheep had been busy at work, each knitting squares that were pieced together into a lovely afghan and presented to Kelley. The beautiful hand dyed yarn was donated from our very own Rose, of Cakewalk Yarns. Nice work, knitters! (photos coming soon)